Process of preparation of beta-methasone



United States Patent 3,104,246 PROCESS OF PREPARATION 0F p-METHASONE Gaston Amiard, Noisy-le-Sec, Vesperto Torelli, Maisons- Alfort, and Jean Crde, Dugny, France, assignors to Roussel-UCLAF, S.A., Paris, France, a corporation of France No Drawing. Filed July 26, 1962, Ser. No. 212,739 Claims priority, application France Aug. 18, 1961 14 Claims. (Cl. 260-39145) "I his invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of ii-methasone or 2,1-acetoxy-16B-methyl-9otfluoro-A hpregnadiene-l1fi,17a-di-ol-3,20-dione land to the novel intermediates produced in this process.

The importance which the 16-methyl steroids, and particularly dexamethasone and its isomer in the 16-position, B-methasone, have recently taken is well known. But, whereas very many improved processes have :been proposed for the preparation of dexarnethasone, the existing processes giving access to the 16/8 isomer are much less satisfactory, especially those concerning the steps of the introduction of the methyl group in the 16/8 position and the hydroxyl group in the 17a position.

In the known processes of producing B-rnethasone, generally, one passes through the intermediary of the 16,17-pyrazolino derivative. This requires multiple steps which naturally implies an inevitable loss of yield at each step. Another inconvenience of these processes is the necessity of using a reactant which is dangerous to handle, which is the case with diazomethane, an indispensable product for the preparation of the pyraz'oline ring.

It is known in addition that Italian chemists have finally realized the introduction of the methyl group in the 16/8 position in a steroid of the progesterone series by causing an organomagnesium'compound to react on the 16,17-epoxy derivative (see Sciaky, Gaz. Oh. Ital. 91,- 56270, 1961). However, this process would not be thought of practical interest for the synthesis under discussion since steroids of the progesterone series are not substituted in the ll-position and such a reaction would affect the 11 substituent. in addition, the yields obtained by the cited authors were of the order of only 60%.

An object of the present invention is the development of a process for the obtention of 21-acetoXy-16p-methyl- A -pregnatriene-17a-ol-3,20-dione, an intermediate useful in the production of B-methasone from 3a-acyloxy- 16a,17a-oxido-5fl-pregnane1 l,20-dione.

Another object of the present invention is the development of a process for the introduction of a methyl group in the 16;? position in a steroid of the pregnane series con. 50 The P Object of the invention, is found IfiSllmd" taining an activating function in thell position. by the flow diagram of Table I. i

TABLE I fig 7) A00 AcO-- K II E /OC|1H2 HO O-CH2 AcO-- IV E -radicail of an organic oarboxylic acid having from one VIII '2 A still further object of the invention (a) Sa-acyloxy 16a,17a -oxido-20,2O-ethylenedioxy- SB-pregnane-ll-one, I'II, wherein acyl represents the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid having from one to eighteen carbon atoms, particularly acetoxy;

('b) 16a,17a oxido-20,20-ethylenedioxy-Sp-pregnane- 30,11/8-di0l, IV;

=(c) 3a-acyloxy :,1704 oxide-20,20-ethylenedioxy- Sflpregn-ane-l lflol, V, wherein acyl represents the acyl to eighteen carbon atoms, particularly acetoxy;

(d) 3a-acyloxy 16oc,170c oxido-ZO,ZO-ethylenedioxy- A -SfiI- regnene, VI, wherein acyl represents the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid having from one to eighteen carbon atoms, particularly acetoxy;

(e) 16,8-rnethy-1 A 5/3 pregnene-3z,17a-diol-20- one, VII;

(f) 16,8 methyl-1A -SB- regnene-17u-ol-3,20-dione,

(g) 25,4 3 dibromo 1613 methyl-A -5 3-pregnenel7a-ol-3,20-dione, VIII;

(h) methyl 131141901) pregnatriene-l 7a-ol-3,20- dione, IX;

(i) 2l diiodo 16B methyl-A -pregnatriene-17aol-3,20-dione, IX.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

In the process of the invention 3a-acetoXy-16a,l7aoxido-Sfi-pregnane-l1,20-dione, described by Julian et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 77, 4601, 1955) is utilized as the starting material, although esters with other organic carboxylic acids having from one to eighteen carbon atoms on the 3a-ol position may be employed. After producing a double bond in the 9,11-position and blocking the functions in the 3- and 20-positions, the existence of'the oxydic bridge in the 1-6,17-p osition is taken advantage of in order to introduce, by a Grignard reaction in one single operation, the methyl group in the 16 8 position and the hydroxyl group in the 17cc position.

16,8-rnethyl-A -5/3-pregnene 3u,l7a diol-ZO-one is thus obtained. This compound is next transformed easily into 2l-acetoxy-16fl-methy1-A -pregnatriene-17a-ol- 3,20-dione, I.- The method of producing ,B-methasone [from this latter compound is known.

The new process gives elevated yields and presents other advantages which will be apparentto the specialists in the 'art.

ii I LCHs nc0- a no-- H VII J l -orr i I LOH;

0- 0 VIII CHI: a t p m JMI 3-0113 CH3 IX IX 0112000011; 01110000113 J o 0 filU-OH -0H CH3 CH3 omooocm omocooru 0 }o 6; --OH l -o11 LCH; LOH:

Ac represents the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid having from one to eighteen carbon atoms.

The said process consists essentially in the following steps: (A) The ZO-ethyleneketal of 3u-acetoxy-16a,l7aoxido-Sfi-pregnane-ll,20+dione, II, is formed by a selective reaction of the 11,20-dione in the position only with ethylene glycol or a derivative such as methyl ethyl dioxolane in the presence of an inert organic solvent. ('B) The 3oc-acetoxy-l6a,l7aoxido-20,20-ethylenedioxy- SB-pregrraue-ll-one, III, is reduced with simultaneous saponification :by an alkali metal borohydride in an inert organic solvent. -(C) The 16m,17u=oxido-20,20-ethylenedioxy-SB-pregnane-MJlfl-diol, IV, obtained is esterified with a derivative of an organic oarboxylic acid having from one to eighteen carbon atoms on the alcohol function in the 3-position in order to protect the same; preferably the acetic anhydride is utilized. (D) The alcohol function in the ll-position of 3a-acyloxy-16a,17a-oxido- 20,20-ethy-lenedioxy-Sfiregnane-I15-01, V, is dehydrated with the aid of a hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride. (E) The resulting 3a-acy10xy-16a,17a-oxido-2O,20-ethylenedioxy- A -SB-pregnene, VI, is reacted with a methyl magnesium halide in an inert organic solvent. (F) The 165- methy1-A --pregnene 30:,1711 -dioI-20-one, VII, ob-

tained is oxidized with the aid of an oxidizing agent such as chromium trioxide in order to convert the alcohol function in the 3-position into a ketone. (G) The dione obtained, VIII, is subjected to bromination, then dehydrobrornination 'by the action of an alkaline agent on the 2,4-dibrorno intermediate, VIII, formed. (H) The 16dmethyl-A -pregnatriene-17u-o1-3,20-dione, IX, obtained is subjected to iodination in the presence of calcium hydroxide and calcium chloride in an inert solvent. An alkali metal acetate is reacted with the diiodated product, IX, and 2l-acetoxy-l6fl-methyl-A -pregnatriene-l7a-ol-3,20-dione, I, is obtained. This product can be transformed by known methods into B-methasone, C.

In the esterification of Step C and in the starting ester, the esterifying acid may be any organic carboxylic acid having from one to eighteen carbon atoms, as indicated. However, it is preferable to employ lower alkanoic acids such as acetic acid as the esterifying acid.

Preferably, the execution of the process of the invention is conducted under the following conditions:

(a) In Step A, the ZO-ethy-lene-ketal of 3a-acetoxy- 16a,17a-oxido-5fi-pregnane-l1,20-dione, II, is formed by the action of ethylene glycol on the latter in the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst at the reflux tem- Other esters in the 3 position may also be since the ester group is saponified perature. employed, if available, in the next step.

(b) In Step B, the reduction and simultaneous saponification of 3u-acetoxy-16u,17 a-oxide-20,20-ethy1enedioxy- 5B-pregnane11-one, III, is effected by potassium borohydride in the presence of tetriahydrofuran at the reflux temperature. Presence of an amount of water is desirable.

(c) In Step C, the esterification of the alcohol function in the 3 position of l6m,l7a-oxido20,20-ethylenedioxy-Sfi-pregnane-MJlB-diol, IV, is efiected with ace-tic acid anhydride in pyridine at about room temperature.

(d) In Step D, the dehydration of the alcohol function in the 11 position of 3u-acetoxy-l6a,l7oc-oxido-20,20 ethylenedioxy-S,B-pregnane-l16-01, V, is effected with the aid of methane sulfonyl chloride in the presence of dimethylfornramide at about roomtemperature.

(e) In Step E, an excess of methyl magnesium halide inthe order of to 50 mols wtih reference to the amount of steroid compound being reacted upon is utilized.

(f) In Step E,-the reaction with methyl magnesium halide is conducted at temperatures between about 75 and 100 Q.

(g) In Step E, the methyl magnesium halide used is the bromide.

. (h) In Step E, the reaction with methyl magnesium bromide is conducted in tetrahydrofuran.

(i) In Step F, the oxidation of the alcohol in the 3-position of 16fi-methyl-A -5,B-pregnene-3a,17ot-diol- 20-one, VII, is effected with chromium tn'oxide in the presence of sulfuric acid. An inert organic solvent such as acetone is employed and the reaction is conducted between about 5 C. and C, preferably at about 0 C.

(j) In Step G, the bromination of l6B-m-ethyl-A Sfl-pregnene-l7a-ol-3,20-dione, VIII, is effected in acetic acid media. The presence of hydrobromic acid and water in small amounts is also preferable. The reaction is conducted at temperatures between about 5 C. and 30 C., preferably between 15 C. and 18 C.

(k) In Step G the dehydrobromination agent used is the mixture of lithium carbonate and lithium bromide in dimethylformamide. The reaction'is conducted at term peratures between about 100 C. and 150 0., preferably at about 135 C. p r

(Z) In Step H, potassium acetate is made to react on 21 diiodo 16B methyl A pregnatriene 17ozol-3,20-dione, IX, while operating in acetone in the presence of a small amount of acetic acid at reflux temperatures. a

(m) The transformation of Z-acetoxy 16p methyl- A pregnatriene 17o: o1 3,20 dione into B- methasone is effected by the method described by Taub et al. in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 82, pp. 4012-4026 (1960). A brief example of this process is indicated as Example 11.

The following examples illustrate the invention without however limiting it. It is obvious that other changes and modifications known to those skilled in the art may be employed. The melting points are instantaneous melting points determined on the Kofier block.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 21-Acet0xy-16,6-Methyl-A -Pregnatriene-17a-0l-3,Z0-Dione (Compound 1) STEP A.-3a-ACET0XY-1611,17a-OXIDO-2O,2O-ETHYLENE- DIOXY-5B -PREGNANE-11-ONE (COMPOUND III) 22 g. of 3a-acetoxy-16a,17a-oxido-5B-pregnane-11,20- dione, 11, having a melting point of 133 and 152 C. and a specific rotation [oc] :|ll4 (chloroform) (obtained according to Julian et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 77, 4601, 1955) were dissolved in 880 cc. of anhydrous benzene. The solution was heated to the boiling point, then 88 cc. of ethylene glycol and 880 mg. of p-toluene sulfonic acid were added. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for a period of 15 hours. ing, the reaction mixture was poured into water saturated with sodium bicarbonate.

combined organic phases were dr' of pyridine were added thereto. The organic solution was evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was crystallized from methanol containing 1% of pyridine. 22 g. (yield 90%) of 3a-acetoxy-16u,17a-oxido-' 20,20-ethylenedioxy-5fi-pregnaneell-one, 111, having a melting point of 129130 C., and a specific rotation [a] =+91- -1 (c.=1%) in chloroform)"were 'obtained. The product occurred aswhite crystals and was soluble in alcohol, acetone and benzene.

Analysis.-C I-I O molecular Weight==432.54. Calculated: C, 69.41%; H, 8.38%. Found: C, 69.7%; H, 8.4%. This compound is not described in'the literature.

STEP B.16a,17a 0XIDO-20,20-ETHYLENEDIOXY-5B- PREGNANE-3aJ1fi-DIOL (COMPOUND Iv) 16.3 g. of 3u-acetoxy-16a,17a-oxido-20,20-ethylenedioxy-Sfi-pregnane-ll-one, III, were dissolved in 200 cc. of tetrahydrofuran and cc. of methanol.

form) were obtained. The product occurred as colorless prismatic crystals and was soluble in acetone, chloroform and alcohol, slightly soluble in ether and benzene, and insoluble in water.

Analysis.C H O t molecular weight=392.52. caculated: C, 70.37%; H, 9.24%; O, 20.38%. Foundr C, 70.4%; H, 9.0%; O, 20.8.

This compound is not described in the literature.

STEP C.3 a-ACETOXY-16a,17a-OXIDO20,20-ETHYLENE- DIOXY-5fl-PREGNANE-11fl-OL (COMPOUND V) 40.72 g. of 16a,17a-oxido-20,20-ethylenedioxy-SB- pregnane-3a,11a-diol, IV, were dissolved in 80 cc. of pyridine. 40 cc. of acetic acid anhydride were added thereto and the reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of 16 hours. The reaction mixture was next poured into iced water. The precipitated product was vacuum filtered and recrystallized from methanol containing 1% of pyridine. About 45 g. of 3aacetoxy Found: C, 69.1%;

After cool-5,

This mixture was decanted' and the aqueous phase was extracted with benzene. The ed and several drops Then 8 g. of potassium borohydride and 40 cc. of water were added 16a,17oc oxido 20,20 ethylenedioxy 5,3. pregnane-llfl-ol, V, having a meltingpoint of 157-158 C. and a specific rotation [a] =|69:i.-1 (c.=1% in chloroform) were obtained. Yield: practically quanmolecular weight=434.55. Cal-- sulfonyl chloride were added was poured into water. The precipitated product was vacuum filtered, washed with water, and recrystallized from methanol containing 1% of pyridine. 37.3 g., being a yield of 96%, of 3a-acetoxy-16a,l7aoxido 20,20 ethylenedioxy A901) 5B pregnene, VI, were obtained in a practically pure state, having a melting point of 133 C. and a specific rotation [m] =-l79i1 (c.=1% in chloroform). For analysis, the product was recrystallized a second time from methanol containing 1% of pyridine, and a sample was obtained melting at 134 C. The yield of recrystallization: 98%.

This compound is not described in the literature.

The product occurred in the form of colorless prismatic crystals and was soluble in acetone, benzene and chloroform, less soluble in ether and alcohol, and insoluble in water. This compound is not described in the literature.

(a) Preparation of the magnesium Grignard reagent.- 100 g. of magnesium turnings were introduced into 2 liters of anhydrous tetrahydrofur-an. The reaction mixture was agitated and anhydrous methyl bromide was made to bubble therethrough for a period of 2 to 3 hours while maintaining the temperature between 20 to 30 C. After complete disappearance of the magnesium, the solution obtained was allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The next day, 50 to 100 cc. of tetrahydrofuran were distilled therefrom. A solution of magnesium Grignard reagent testing 1.5 to 1.6 mols per liter was obtained.

(b) Grignard reaction-40 g. of 3a-acetoxy-16a,17u-.

xido20,20-ethylenedioxy-A -fl-pregnene, VI, were dissolved in 100 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. This solution was introduced into 640 cc. of the solution of methyl magnesium bromide prepared above under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The reaction mixture was distilled at ordinary pressure in order to remove about half of the solvent and until the temperature of the reaction mixture attained 89 C. The heating was then continued at reflux for a period of 15 hours. Thereafter, the reaction mixture was cooled to 40 C. 250 cc. of tetrahydrofuran and 250 cc. of ether were added and the mixture was poured onto a mixture of water and ice containing 10% of concentrated hydrochloric acid. This mixture was decanted and the aqueous phase was extracted with ether. The combined organic phases, including the ethereal extracts, were Washed with water, dried, and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in 75 cc. of acetic acid, 25 cc. of water was added thereto ,and the mixture was heated to the vaporization point for a period of half an hour. Thereafter, the mixture was evaporated to dryness under vacuum. A crystallized residue was obtained which was washed with a solution of sodium bicarbonate and with water. This residue was dried and recrystallized from isopropyl ether. 8.15 g., being a yield of 98%, of 16/8- methyl-A -5fi-pregnene-3a,17u-diol-2O-one, VII, were obtained, having a melting point of 174 C. and a specific rotation [a] =.l-31il (c.=1% in chloroform). The product occurred in the form of colorless rectangular leaflets, and was soluble in alcohol, benzene and chloroform, slightly soluble in ether and acetone, and insoluble in water.

Armlysis.C H O molecular weight=346.49. Calculated: C, 76.26%; H, 9.89%. Found: C, 76.1%; H, 9.8%.

This compound is not described in the literature.

STEP F.16B-METHYLA -55-PREGNENE-17a-OL- 8,20-DIONE (COMPOUND VIII) 6.43 g. of l6,8-methyl-A -5;8-pregnene-3u,17a-diol- 20one, VII, were dissolved in 190 cc. of acetone. The solution was cooled to 0 C. and 4.5 cc. of a solution of 20% sulfuric acid containing 0.27 g. of chromium trioxide per cc. was added very slowly. The reaction mixture was agitated at a temperature of 0 C. for a period of ten minutes, then extracted with ether. The ethereal extracts were combined, washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was recrystallized from isopropyl ether and furnished 5.6 g., a yield of 87%, of 1613 methyl-A ip-pregnanc-17a-ol- 3,20-dione, VIII, having a melting point of 182-183 C. and a specific rotation [a] =j+23 (c.=l% in chloroform). The product occurred as colorless prismatic crystals, and was soluble in benzene and chloroform, slightly soluble in alcohol, ether and acetone, and insoluble in water.

Analysis.C H O molecular weight=344.48. Calculated: C, 76.70%; H, 9.36%. Found: C, 76.7%; H, 9.2%.

This product is not described in the literature.

STEP G.-16B-I\IETHYL-A -PREGNATRIENE'17d-0L- 3,20 DIONE (COMPOUND IX) 10 g. of 16 3-methyl-A -SB-pregnene-17a-ol-3,20- dione, VIII, was introduced into 100 cc. of ethyl acetate containing 0.5% of water. Several drops of hydrobromic acid in solution in acetic acid were added to the suspension. Then 100 cc. of a solution of 10 g. of bromine in acetic acid containing 0.5 cc. of water were introduced very slowly. The reaction mixture was agitated at a temperature of 15 to 18 C. for a period of a quarter of an hour. Next a mixture of water and ice was added. ZBAfl-dibromo-l6 8-methyl-A -5B-pregnene- 170c-0l-3,20-di0116 crystallized. The crystals were vacuum filtered, and washed with water. The moist product was triturated with 45 cc. of isopropyl ether, vacuum filtered, washed two times with 15 cc. of isopropyl ether, and dried at 40 C. 12.5 g. of the raw dibrominated derivative was obtained. In order to obtain the pure product, the raw product was triturated first with 40 cc. of ethyl acetate, then, after vacuum filtering, with 25 cc. of methanol. The purified product was vacuum filtered and dried at 60 C. 11.7 g. (yield of pure 2,9,45-dibromo-16fimethyl-A -5;8-pregnene-l7a-ol-3,2O-dione, VIII, was obtained, having a melting point of 260 C. (with decomposition) and a specific rotation [a] ==H-20i1 (c.=1% in chloroform).

The dibrominated derivative, VIII, was a colorless crystallized product. It was insoluble in water, very slightly soluble in acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol and ether.

An'alysis.-C H O Br molecular weight=502.30. Calculated: C, 52.6%; H, 6.02%; Br, 31.82%. Found: C, 52.7%; H, 6.1%; Br, 31.7%.

This compound is not described in the literature.

10 g. of lithium bromide and 20 g. of lithium carbonate were added while agitating to cc. of dimethyl formamide. The mixture was heated to 134136 C. and very rapidly 10 g. of pure 2fi,4fl-dibromo-16fi-methyl-A Sfl-pregnene-l7a-ol-3,20-dione were introduced. The temperature was maintained at 134-136 C. for a period of two hours under an atmosphere of nitrogen and while agitating. Next the reaction mixture was cooled to 60 C. and poured into a mixture of water and ice containing a small amount of acetic acid. The precipitate was vacuum filtered and washed with water. The moist product was added to 50 cc. of water and heated to 9599 C. while agitating for a period of one hour. Thereafter, it was vacuum filtered and dried at 60 C. The raw product was triturated with 20 cc. of isopropyl ether. It was vacuum filtered, washed two times with 6 cc. of isopropyl ether and dried at 60 C. 6.2 g. (yield 90% with reference to compound VIII) of pure 16,8 methyl-A -pregnatriene-17 a-ol-3,20-dione, IX, was obtained, having a melting point of C. and a specific rotation [a] +4O:2 (c.=1% in ethanol).

Compound IX occurred in crystallized form and was soluble in benzene and chloroform, slightly soluble in g. of 165-methyl-A -pregnatriene-17a-ol-3,20- dione, IX, were introduced into a mixture of 40 cc. of absolute methanol and 10 cc. of a methanolic solution containing 10% of calcium chloride. To the suspension formed, 6.5 g. of calcium hydroxide were added. The suspension was agitated under an atmosphere of nitrogen for several minutes at room temperature. Then the interior temperature was raised to 40 C. Next, in the absence of light, under an atmosphere of nitrogen and while agitating, 55 cc. of a methanolic solution containing 26.6 g. of iodine and 10 g. of calcium chloride per 100 cc. was introduced slowly and while maintaining a temperature of 38-42 C. Then 22. cc. of aboslute methanol was introduced under the same conditions. The total addition was efiected in the space of about half an hour. After the introduction of the reactants, the temperature was maintained for another half hour at 38-42 C. under agitation and under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The temperature was thereafter brought to 20 C. and the mixture was poured, while agitating, into a mixture of water and ice containing 4% of acetic acid. This mixture was agitated for a period of halfan hour. The precipitate was vacuum filtered, washed with water and dried under vacuum. Raw Compound IX was separated and purified by trituration with acetone. .4 g. (yield 88.5%) of 2l-diiodo-l65-methyl-A -pregnatriene-l7oc-ol-3,20-dione, IX, was obtained, having a melting point of 250 C. (with decomposition).

This compound is not described in the literature.

15.4 g. of the diiodated derivative, IX, and 45 cc. of dimethylformarrride were introduced into a mixture of 150 cc. of acetone containing 1% of water, 1.5 cc. of acetic acid and 15.4 g. of potassium acetate. This mixture was heated to reflux in an atmosphere of nitrogen under agitation and in the absence of light for a period of an hour and a half. Next, the mixture was cooled to C. and 50 cc. of water was added thereto. The mixture was allowed to stand at rest until the potassium salt dissolved. More water was added and the mixture was cooled. The precipitate was vacuum filtered, washed with water and dried at 80 C. 10 g. (being a yield of 85% with reference to Compound IX) of 21-acetoxyl65-methyl-A -pregnatriene 17oz-Ol-3,20 dione, I, were obtained, having a melting point of 210-212 C., and identical to the compound described by Taub et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 82, 4012-26 (1960).

EXAMPLE 'II Preparation of 5-Methasone Starting from Compound B, 5-methasone (Compound C) was obtained, having a melting point of 205-208 C.,

v 1g according to the method of operation et a1.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific modes of execution described above. Particularly, it is evident to one skilled in the art that equivalent techniques, such as the use of other organic carboxylic acids having from one to eighteen carbon atoms, other solvents, other temperatures, etc., may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim: v

1. A process for the preparation of 21-acetoxy-165- methyl n -pregnatriene 170t-O1-3,20 dione which comprises the steps of (A) reacting 3oz-acyloxy-l6a.,l7aoxido-55-pregnane-11,20-dione wherein acyl represents the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid having from one to eighteen carbon atoms with an ethylene ketal-producing compound under ketalizing conditions, (B) reacting the 3ot-acyloxy-l6a,17a-oxido-20,20-ethylenedioxy-55-pregnane-ll-one with an alkali metal borohydnide in an inert aqueous organic solvent, (C) esterifying the alcohol in the 3-position ot' l6ot,17a.-0Xid0-20,20- ethylenedioxy-55-pregnane-3a,l15-diol by the action of a functional derivative of an organic carboxylic acid having from one to eighteen carbon, atoms, (D) subjecting the 3a-acyloxy l6oz,17ot oxido 20,20 ethylenedioxy- 55-pregnane-1l5-ol wherein acyl has the above-assigned meaning to the action of a hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride, (E) reacting the 3oc-acyloxy-l6a,l7a-oxido-20,20- ethylenedioxy A901) 5 5 pregnene where acyl has the above-assigned meaning with a methyl magnesium halide in the presence of an inert organic solvent, (F) oxidizing the alcohol in the 3 position of 165-methyl-A 5 5-pregr1ene-3u,l7a-diol-20-one by the action of an acidic oxidizing agent, (G) subjecting the 165-methyl-A 55-pregnene-17ot-ol-3,20-dione to the action of bromine under brominating conditions, (H) dehydrobr'ominating the 25,45 dibromo 165 methyl-A -55-pregnene- 17a-ol-3,20-dione by the action of an alkaline agent at elevated temperatures, (1) subjecting the 165-methyl- A -pregnatniene-17a-ol-3,20-dione to the action of iodine in the presence of calcium hydroxide and calcium chloride, (1) reacting the 2l-diiodo-l65-methyl-A pregnatriene-17uol-3,20-dione with an alkali metal acetate in an inert organic solvent, and (K) recovering said 21 acetoxy- 16.5 methyl N pregnatriene 1704-0-1- 3,20-dione.

2. The process of claim 1, step (A), wherein said ethylene ketal-producing compound is ethylene glycol in the presence of p-toluene su-lfonic acid as a catalyst and said acyloxy is the acetoxy.

3. The process of claim 1,

described by Taub step (B), wherein said alkali metal borohydride is potassium borohydride in I,

tetrahydrofuran and said acyloxy is the acetoxy.

4. The process of claim 1, step (C), wherein said esterifying of the alcohol function in the 3 position of l6ot,17a-Oxid0,20,20 ethylenedioxy-55-pregnane-3 11,115- diol is effected by acetic acid anhydride in pyridine.

5. The process of claim 1, step (D), wherein said hydrocarbon sultonyl chloride is methane sulfonyl chloride and said acyloxy is acetoxy.

6. The process of claim 1, step (E), wherein an excess of said methyl magnesium halide of the order of 10 to 50 mols with reference to the amount of said pregnene compound is utilized and said acyloxy is acetoxy.

7. The process of claim 1, step (E), wherein said reaction with magnesium methyl halide is conducted at temperatures situated between about 75 C. and C.

8. The process of claim 1, step (E), wherein said methyl magnesium halide used is the bromide.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein said reaction with methyl magnesium bromide is conducted in the presence of tetrahydrofuran.

10. The process of claim 1, step (F), wherein said 1 1 ketone-producing oxidizing agent is chromium trioxide in the presence of sulfuric acid.

11. The process of claim 1, step (G), wherein the bromination of said dione is eflfected in an acetic acid medium.

12. The process of claim 1, step (H), wherein said alkaline agent is the mixed lithium carbonate-lithium bromide salt in dimethylfonnamide.

13. The process of claim 1, step (J), wherein said alkali metal acetate is potassium acetate in acetone.

14. The process of producing 16fi-methy1-A -5fipregnene-3a,l7u-diol-20-one which comprises the step of reacting 30: acyloxy-l 60,17a-oxido-Z0,20-ethylenedioxy- A -5B-pregnene where acyl represents the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid having from one to eighteen carbon atoms with an excess of a methyl magnesium halide in an inert anhydrous organic solvent at temperatures from room temperature to the refiux temperature and recovering said l6fi-methyl-A -5 8-pregnene-3u, 17a-diol-20-one.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,945,029 Nomine July 12, 1960 2,970,155 Joly et a1. Jan. 31, 1961 2,980,713 Chemerda et a1. Apr. 18, 1961 3,007,949 Nomine et al. Nov. 7, 1961 3,062,848 Joly et a1. Nov. 6, 1962 3,067,195 Cutler et a1. Dec. 4, 1962 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION September 17, 1963 Pa tent No. 3, 104,246

Gaston Amiard et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patetion and that the said Letters Patent should read as ent requiring corre corrected below.

Column 5, line 51, for "2acet0xy" read 21acetoxy column 6, line 48, for "Ha-dial read 11 'dio1 column H II 9, 11ne 5, for C H 0. read C H O 11ne 24, for aboslute read absolute ary 1964.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of Febru (SEAL) Attest:

EDWIN'EL; REYNOLDS ERNEST W. SWIDER Ac t i ng Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 21-ACETOXY-16BMETHYL - $1,4,9(11)-PREGNATRIENE - 17A-OL-3,20 - DIONE WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF (A) REACTING 3A-ACYLOXY-16A,17AOXIDE-5B-PREGNANE-11,20-DIONE WHEREIN ACYL REPRESENTS THE ACYL RADICAL OF AN ORGANIC CARBOXYLIC ACID HAVING FROM ONE TO EIGHTEEN CARBON ATOMS WITH AN ETHYLENE KETAL-PRODUCING COMPOUND UNDER EKTALIZING CONDITIONS, (B) REACTING THE 3A-ACYLOXY:16A-17A-OXIDO-20,20-ETHYLENEDIOXY-5B-PREGNANE-11-ONE WITH AN ALKALI METAL BOROHYDRIDE IN AN INERT AQUEOUS ORGANIC SOLVENT, (C) ESTERIFYING THE ALOCHOL IN THE 3-POSITION OF 16A,17A-OXIDO-20,20ETHYLENEDIOXY-5B-PREGNANE-3A,11B-DIOL BY THE ACTION OF A FUNCTIONAL DERIVATIVE OF AN ORGANIC CARBOXYLIC ACID HAVING FROM ONE TO EIGHTEEN CARBON ATOMS, (D) SUBJECTING THE 3A,ACYLOXY - 16A,17A - OXIDO - 20,20 - ETHYLENEDIOXY5B-PREGNANE-11B-OL WHEREIN ACYL HAS THE ABOVE-ASSIGNED MEANING TO THE ACTION OF A HYDROCARBON SULFONYL CHLORIDE, (E) REACTING THE 3A-ACYLOX-16A,17A-OXIDO-20,20ETHYLENEIDIOXY - $9(11) - 5B - PREGNENE WHERE ACYL HAS THE ABOVE-ASSIGNED MEANING WITH A METHYL MAGNESIUM HALIDE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN INERT ORGANIC SOLVENT, (F) OXIDIZING THE ALCOHOL IN THE 3 POSTION OF 16B-METHYL-$9(11)5B-PREGNENE-3A,17A-DIOL-20-ONE BY THE ACTION OF AN ACIIDIC OXIDIZING AGENT, (G) SUBJECTING THE 16B-METHYL-$9(11)5B-PREGNENE-17A-OL-3,20-DIONE TO THE ACTION OF BROMINE UNDER BROMINATING CONDITIONS, (H) DEHYDROBROMINATING THE 2B,4B - DIBROMO - 16B - METHYL-$9(11)-5B-PREGNENE17A-OL-3,20-DIONE BY THE ACTION OF AN ALKALINE AGENT AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES, (I) SUBJECTING THE 16B-METHYL$1,4,9(11)-PREGNATRIENE-17A-OL-3,20-DIONE TO THE ACTION OF IODINE IN THE PRESENCE OF CALCIUM HYDROXIDE AND ALCIUM CHLORIDE, (J) REACTING THE 21-DIIODO-16B-METHYL-$1,4,9(11)PREGNATRIENE-17A-OL-3,20-DIONE WTH AN AKALI METAL ACETATE IN AN INERT ORGANIC SOLVENT, AND (K) RECOVERING, SAID 21 - ACETOXY- 16B - METHYL - $1,4,9(11)-PREGNATRIENE - 17A-OL3,20-DIONE. 